Britain will not support any attempt to move Palestinians in Gaza to nearby Arab countries against their will, a UK government minister has said.
Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, Dodds said Palestinians must decide the future of Gaza with help from regional and international partners.
“We would oppose any effort to move Palestinians in Gaza to neighbouring Arab states against their will. There must be no forced displacement of Palestinians nor any reduction in the territory of the Gaza Strip.
“Palestinian civilians should be able to return to and rebuild their homes and their lives—that is a right guaranteed under international law.
“Gaza is home to 2 million Palestinians and remains an integral part of what must become a future Palestinian state, with Palestinians living next to Israelis in peace and security,” she told the House of Commons.
Trump suggested relocating Palestinians to neighbouring countries like Egypt or Jordan and transforming Gaza into a prosperous area. He emphasised the need to clear unexploded bombs and destroyed buildings to create economic opportunities and housing for the region.
International Debate
Trump’s plans have sparked international debate, with the UK’s response focusing on the rule of international law.“The UK government is absolutely determined to ensure there is not forced displacement, that would be contrary to international law. Gazans must be allowed home,” Dodds said in response to a question by Independent MP Richard Burgon.
The minister praised the United States for helping to negotiate a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, but stressed that a permanent solution should be grounded in a two-state solution.
“Our attention must now turn to how we secure a permanently better future for the Israeli and Palestinian peoples, grounded—to reiterate the point a final time—in a two-state solution,” she told MPs.
Other nations, including Spain and Russia, also expressed support for a two-state solution.
Speaking about Israel’s military actions in the West Bank, Dodds recognised Israel’s right to defend itself, but added it must act with restraint to avoid harming civilians or destroying infrastructure.
“The UK remains opposed to illegal settlements, their expansion, and settler violence,” she said.
Conservative MP Bob Blackman urged Labour to come up with a “reasonable and achievable” counter-proposal to Trump. In response, Dodds said the government is seeking to work practically with the Palestinian Authority.
He suggested that the Palestinian people would have already been resettled in safer communities in the region, while the United States would slowly begin redevelopment.
UNRWA
Last month, the UK announced an extra £17 million in humanitarian aid towards Gaza, amid the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.Additionally, £2 million will go to the World Bank to help repair water and energy infrastructure.
The UK supports the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Gaza, Jerusalem, and the West Bank.
Following the decision by Israel’s Parliament on Jan. 30 to ban UNRWA from operating in Gaza over alleged links to Hamas, Dodds warned it could slow down humanitarian aid.
Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel called for assurances that UK taxpayer money is not being misused by Hamas. She acknowledged the importance of UNRWA’s aid distribution network but stressed the need to address serious concerns within the organisation.
